The 5 best festivals in Zurich worth clearing your schedule for
Zurich has a way of surprising you. Just when you think it’s all banks and lake views, the streets light up with music, food, and pure good vibes.
One weekend, we stumbled into one of the city’s biggest festivals without even realising it was happening. What was supposed to be a quiet couple of days turned into a full-on cultural ride. There are parades, food stalls, and live DJs.
Since then, we’ve made it a bit of a tradition to dive into as many of the city’s festivals as we can. So, if you’re in town or looking for a good time, these are the Zurich festivals you’ll want to mark in your calendar.
1. Zurich Street Parade
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Website: https://www.streetparade.com/
Address: Seefeldstrasse 4, 8008
Contact: +41 44 261 99 01
Festival Date: Early August
Pricing: Free
The Zurich Street Parade is the biggest and most vibrant festival in the city. Each year, the free event draws hundreds of thousands of visitors.
It also features 30 Love Mobiles. And if you’re not familiar with it, it’s those colourful trucks with booming sound systems. These mobiles make their way along a 2.0 km route from Utoquia to the Enge harbour dam with stops at Bellevue and Burkliplatz.
What we love is that this event is organised by a non-profit group and thrives on drink sales from official stands and generous donations from attendees. Plus, it’s committed to being eco-friendly by recycling 100% of its waste.
And don’t forget to check out the TECHNO exhibition at the Zurich National Museum. It dives into the fashion, art, and cultural influence of the genre.
Pro Tip: Arrive by noon to snag a good spot before the route fills up. Early afternoon offers more space. Meanwhile, evenings get densely crowded.
2. Sechseläuten (Spring Festival)
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Website: https://www.zuerich.com/en/events-nightlife/typical-events/sechselauten
Address: City Centre, Sechseläutenplatz
Contact: +41 44 215 40 00
Festival Date: Third Monday in April
Pricing: Free
Every April, Zurich welcomes spring with the vibrant Sechseläuten. It’s a tradition that’s been around for centuries and features stunning historical costumes, colourful floral parades, and one fiery spectacle.
The main event happens on the third Monday of April, starting at 3 PM, as 3,500 guild members make their way through Zurich’s Old Town. It’s then accompanied by lively music, majestic horses, and eye-catching floats.
At 6 PM, the excitement reaches its climax with the burning of the Böögg, a giant snowman effigy atop a towering pyre. As smoke fills the square and ashes glow, locals gather to grill sausages over the remnants, turning the evening into a communal celebration.
With flags waving and lanterns shining, Sechseläuten beautifully weaves together folklore, fire, and festivity into an event you won’t want to miss.
Pro Tip: Sechseläutenplatz itself is iconic, but alternatives like the right-side Limmat or the Bellevue Opera stretch offer less crowded vantage points.
3. Zürcher Theater Spektakel
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Website: https://www.theaterspektakel.ch/
Address: Landiwiese Park
Contact: +41 44 412 35 51
Festival Date: Late August to Early September
Pricing: Free
The lakeside Landiwiese in Zurich comes alive every August as it turns into a bustling hub of creativity during the Zürcher Theatre Spektakel. It attracts over 150,000 visitors annually.
Running for 18 days, this renowned performing arts festival showcases theatre, dance, and performance art from both well-known and emerging artists. And each year, it invites 40 acts across the globe, often spotlighting artists from Africa, Latin America, and Asia.
But what we love most is the pop-up bookstore by sec52. It has been an informal fixture for over 30 years. Many festival-goers often browse the literary offerings late into the night.
Pro Tip: Head to the lake stage (Seebuhne) just before sunset. Not only will you get a stunning golden hour view over the water, but this is also when some of the most atmospheric performances take place.
4. Caliente! Latin Festival
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Website: https://caliente.ch/
Address: Kasernenareal, 8004
Contact: +41 44 401 50 50
Festival Date: Early July
Pricing: ₣
Every year, Caliente! takes over Zurich’s Kasernenareal and turns it into a buzzing Latin barrio for a few days in July. There is street food, music, dancing, and a great atmosphere all around.
For three exciting days, the air is filled with the sounds of live salsa bands, reggaeton DJs, and electrifying dance performances that bring the tropics to life. Themed stages showcase both international stars and local talent.
But what we love most are the Latin staples, such as Brazilian Feijoada, Argentinian Churrasco, and Colombian Empanadas. We always grab our favourites from trusted local businesses.
And while everything was free before, you now need a CHF 20-per-day ticket for the Kasernenareal events. Some locals love it, while others miss the free vibes.
Pro Tip: Since the festive ticket covers public transport costs, be sure to activate the Öffentlicher Verkehr (OV) ticket as soon as you arrive in Zurich. This allows you to ride the S-Bahn, trams, or buses to and from the Kasernenareal without incurring an extra cost.
5. Knabenschiessen
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Website: https://www.knabenschiessen.ch/
Address: Albisgütli Area
Contact: +044 462 99 55
Festival Date: Second Week of September
Pricing: Free
Knabenschiessen is one of Zurich’s oldest and most cherished folk festivals, with roots stretching back to 1656.
Fun fact: the event wasn’t held every single year, especially during wars.
However, today it takes place in Albisgütli and revolves around a youth shooting competition that is held annually. The heart of the event is a 300-metre shooting competition for boys and girls aged 13 to 17 who vie for the title of Schützenkönig (King of Marksmen).
Beyond the contest, Knabenschiessen also includes a massive funfair, food stalls, and even a half-day public holiday in Zurich on Monday. Schools close, many businesses shut early, and locals head to the fairground for one last round of rides and snacks.
Pro Tip: If you want to avoid the biggest crowds but still catch the vibe, consider going early on Monday morning. Locals know that’s when you get free rides during “Chilbi Happy Hour”. It’s usually around 11 AM – 11:30 AM.